Treasury Museum of Braga Cathedral

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Braga > Braga > Braga > Sé

Location

The Treasure-Museum of Braga Cathedral is located in the central and historic area of the city, in the vicinity of the Cathedral. It occupies the building that was once the Casa do Cabido (Chapter House), an 18th-century construction. Its location, annexed to the Cathedral, places it at a crucial point for understanding Braga's history and religious importance.

History and Seat

This museum was established in 1930 with the aim of preserving and exhibiting the rich heritage of Braga Cathedral. Since its foundation, it has been housed in the former Casa do Cabido. The building underwent renovation and expansion works, reopening to the public in 2007 with a renovated permanent exhibition.

The Collection and Exhibits

The Treasure-Museum holds a considerably valuable collection, the result of over a thousand years of Christian life history centered in the Braga Cathedral. Its collections cover various areas of sacred art, including goldsmithery, sculpture, painting, textiles, furniture, ceramics, and archaeology. They are testimonies to the faith, art, and customs of different eras.

Exhibition Narrative

The museum's permanent exhibition, titled "Roots of Eternity. Jesus Christ, One Church," offers a journey through sacred art. Through the exhibition sections, visitors can explore moments from the life of Jesus Christ and follow the history of the Church in Braga, taking as reference the legacy of some archbishops who marked the centuries, from the 5th to the 20th.

Valuable Pieces

Among the many notable pieces preserved by the museum, some stand out for their antiquity, artistic value, or historical importance. Examples include a Paleo-Christian tomb from the 5th-6th centuries, a valuable Ivory Casket from the early 11th century, and the Chalice and Paten that belonged to S. Geraldo, dated to the 11th century. The museum also houses the sculpture of the Virgin of Milk (1515), a Portable Organ (1685), and the Mitre and Gloves set of Archbishop D. Gonçalo Pereira, from the 14th century, considered unique in Portugal. Pieces such as the liturgical shoes of Archbishop D. Rodrigo de Moura Teles (18th century) or an asterisk, used to hold the host, reveal interesting details of the liturgy and its objects.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt